I got a question. I'm wondering if or how much Bargnani's offensive efficiency is influenced by the presence of teammates who can shoot the ball and thus spread the floor.

I'll attempt this, but it will be difficult - especially after only 7 games. Remind me again after 20 or so. (E.g. a lineup like Carter - Barbosa - Johnson - Davis - Bargnani has only played 6 minutes together this year)

1. Since Butler isn't really giving much offense starting, does it make sense to put in James Johnson? I guess what I'm asking is, do the Raptors statistically better when James Johnson is in the line up as oppose to Butler?

1. Since Butler isn't really giving much offense starting, does it make sense to put in James Johnson? I guess what I'm asking is, do the Raptors statistically better when James Johnson is in the line up as oppose to Butler?

They sample size is VERY small, so I hesitate to answer, but... So far they've had similar impact wrt to ON/OFF court ratings, however, Butler has generally played with better players as he's had more starter minutes (and certainly generally played against better players).

What is Barg's defensive efficiency as a PF compared to him as a C? I'm asking because this has been an age-old debate in this forum.

“The saving of our world from pending doom will come, not through the complacent adjustment of the conforming majority, but through the creative maladjustment of a nonconforming minority.” - Martin Luther King

A comparison of Bargs from last year to this year would be good: what has improved in his stats? What is his total improvement from last year to this year?

Generally, it would be great to get a comparison of the whole team from last year to this year in advanced stats. Who has improved the most (to date)?

Apparently we have an amazing trainer now. What has his contribution been to the team? Can we see it in any statistics you can measure (this might require an interesting interview also - to ask him how he works on different players, and then intuit how that could show up statistically in games - is it simply reducing injuries; could it show up in having less of a dropoff in shooting percentage when players play more minutes; anything else)?

It would also be good to get a breakdown of James Johnson: how good is he on defense, assists, etc compared to allstar small forwards? If he developed even average shooting skills would he be great or just average?

And of course it's always fun to hear about Jonas: how about a full statistical analysis of his work in Europe? Which stats are likely to carry over well, which are not: for instance, last I checked he had out-of-this-world true shooting stats ... any chance this will carry over? Care to guess what his stats will be next year in his rookie season? Where would that place him relative to other centers in this league?

A comparison of Bargs from last year to this year would be good: what has improved in his stats? What is his total improvement from last year to this year?

I'll to this for Thursday as we'll have a few more games under his belt.

Kuh wrote:

Generally, it would be great to get a comparison of the whole team from last year to this year in advanced stats. Who has improved the most (to date)?

Will add this as well Thursday.

Kuh wrote:

Apparently we have an amazing trainer now. What has his contribution been to the team? Can we see it in any statistics you can measure (this might require an interesting interview also - to ask him how he works on different players, and then intuit how that could show up statistically in games - is it simply reducing injuries; could it show up in having less of a dropoff in shooting percentage when players play more minutes; anything else)?

Likely impossible to determine given how many factors can contribute to improved play. I know Casey was impressed on how he helped Calderon in a short time, but we'll have to see how they hold up over a season. However, even then, it may not be overly comparable since this season is so condensed - and would generally lead to more than typical injuries.

Kuh wrote:

It would also be good to get a breakdown of James Johnson: how good is he on defense, assists, etc compared to allstar small forwards? If he developed even average shooting skills would he be great or just average?

I'll add this to Thursday's post and compare him to Butler as well.

Kuh wrote:

And of course it's always fun to hear about Jonas: how about a full statistical analysis of his work in Europe? Which stats are likely to carry over well, which are not: for instance, last I checked he had out-of-this-world true shooting stats ... any chance this will carry over? Care to guess what his stats will be next year in his rookie season? Where would that place him relative to other centers in this league?

The best stat that "carries over" consistently from Europe is rebounds (and, of course FT%). I'll look up the paper on it.

I want to know what the difference is between dwayne casey's team and jay triano's team from 2 years ago? when we had that nice run from like december to the all-star break and missed out on the post-season because chris bosh couldn't make a lay-up!

If Your Uncle Jack Helped You Off An Elephant, Would You Help Your Uncle Jack Off An Elephant?

Sometimes, I like to buy a book on CD and listen to it, while reading music.

Hard to show probably since so few mins but considering your recent statophile, how do the numbers from 2yrs ago Sonny Weems compare to Forbes? Really wondering if the new found love for Forbes' game is from the same roots as the love of Sonny's game in 09-10 that made some fans thinking he should be in over DD.

I'm curious if you could break down Kleiza's effectiveness at the 4 vs. at the 3. I'm not sure if there is enough data available but I liked the look of the line up against Utah with him out there with Bargs and James Johnson.

"When Life gives you lemons, you clone those Lemons to make super lemons!"
-Scudworth

I'm curious if you could break down Kleiza's effectiveness at the 4 vs. at the 3. I'm not sure if there is enough data available but I liked the look of the line up against Utah with him out there with Bargs and James Johnson.

Not enough data yet. However.... I really like him at the 3, playing "like" a 4. Why can this work? It can with Bargnani (yes, who's now injured) as Andrea has some "3" in him on offense, regardless of what he's "pegged" at. That is, he doesn't post often - nor does Amir Johnson (largely pick and roll), so Kleiza is able to post up a smallish 3.

Not enough data yet. However.... I really like him at the 3, playing "like" a 4. Why can this work? It can with Bargnani (yes, who's now injured) as Andrea has some "3" in him on offense, regardless of what he's "pegged" at. That is, he doesn't post often - nor does Amir Johnson (largely pick and roll), so Kleiza is able to post up a smallish 3.

I definitely agree, that is how he should be used offensively and I think it is what BC intended for him when he was brought in. I'm more concerned about the defensive end since Kleiza is not as fast as a James Johnson and may have issues with slasher types at the 3. So maybe this is another question you could answer: how does Linas Kleiza's D compare to other three's around the league. In particular vs. James Johnson and Butler.

"When Life gives you lemons, you clone those Lemons to make super lemons!"
-Scudworth